of Liver-Qi is not too severe and is accompanied by pronounced distension. Pain from Cold is
severe and spastic.

Effort of Defaecation

Difficult defaecation with great effort indicates deficiency of Qi or Yang. This is also confirmed
by a feeling of exhaustion after the bowel movement.

Cramps after defaecation indicate Cold or stagnation of Qi.

Colour

• Pale stools indicate Dampness, usually Damp-Heat in the Gall-Bladder


• Dark stools indicate Heat


• Green stools in children indicate Cold.

Differentiation and Treatment

The main patterns appearing with constipation are:

Heat

Chronic Interior Heat

Acute heat in febrile disease

Qi

Stagnation of Liver-Qi

Deficiency

Qi Deficiency

Blood Deficiency

Yang Deficiency

Yin Deficiency

Cold